TYNE Class Lifeboat build

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

the D section rubber fendering and the rear pulpit rails and the deck stanchions have been fitted permanantly………..not a great deal to do on the hull of the boat now, just the cabin to finish off and naming decals to put on and she is ready to go.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hi Neil

Been following your very special High Tech build, Neil and I`m very pleased to see your method of creating the very nice mouldings……Dozens of `em in fact

Have you explained the process earlier?

It would make a very nice ModelBoats Magazine article……….Eh?….Colin?

All the best, chaps

Bob

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

thanks Bob……….have never explained in so much detail anywhere to be honest, as the method remains the same, but certain masters need different types of moulds, so i just keep it simple, to the master that i am moulding at the time…………or it would get so complicated, that people would just turn off.

keep it simple, and keep the interest is my moto.

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

FINISHING POINT IN SIGHT!!!

!!!getting towards the finishing point now on the Mersey, by painting little bits and pieces and getting those ready to attach here and there.

the rear step up to the flying bridge has had its chequer plate painted alluminium and glued in….that will be attached once the wire mess has been reinstated after i put my thunb through it,

the rear mast back rests have been glued in place.

the hammers for the quick release strop hooks have had their handles painted,

the two boat hooks have been painted white and blue, and in the workshop drying,

and the life rings for both my Tyne and Mick French's Mersey have been painted with a dull orange colour, Humbrol 82, and left to dry on the radiator, befor attaching silver reflective tape to the quarters and the grab safety lines.

the EPIRBS are already painted and just need fitting to the holders of the liferings…………..

another job that will be done before I attack a Wolf Blass red tonight.

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

some more done as i watch ginger baker, jack bruce and EC on tv.

stirred me into movement. and so……..

the mesh grill added, the strange [forgive me but i havent a clue what they are] vent added, step added, liferaft added,fire hydrants added port n starboard, hammers [mallets really or lump hammers to be pedantic, lol] added into storage boxes for quick release strops, port and starboard boat hooks added, AND the holes drilled into the top of the cabin for the aray of different aerials [which are in the workshop being painted.

Edited By neil howard-pritchard on 03/04/2021 02:08:55

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

next job on the list was to rig the liferings with the grab lines and reflective silver tape……..

Done

Edited By neil howard-pritchard on 04/04/2021 13:38:43

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

Today was the day for stringing the boats grab lines.

I have seen many lifeboats in my time where these lines along the side of the boat have been put on, and in putting them on have twised and looped between each ring, and yet have been left by the builder.

Let me tell you of the simple way to avoid this EVERY TIME!String and rope is almost always wound in an ANTI CLOCKWISE rotation, and this can be seen from the way the strands rotate, ams if you hold a piece up in your hands, those strands will rotate in the string from right to left.

Therefore, when you run the string through the loops of the rings, you follow that rotation by starting to loop the drops from…..RIGHT to LEFT, and in that way you are NOT fighting against the natural coil of the string……..and you start tying the looks to the rings by starting from the right, working towards the left end.

IF you do it that way, you will never get the string drops coiling up and twisting.

Obviously if the string rotates in the opposite direction………..you start left to right, but in all my years of model making, I have never yet found a string or rope where the strands rotate in the opposite direction of left to right.

I cannot take credit for this knowledge, only pass it on from a master model shipwright called Leonard Lloyd to told me such information many years ago.

Anyway, in photos is my process of marking out and tying my grab lines for the Mersey, and eventually the Tyne.
One side done, and the other just about to be started. All measurements and drops were taken from the plans.

 

Edited By neil howard-pritchard on 04/04/2021 13:43:47

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

Both sides now done……….will fit these when the TV Western has finished.

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

have got quite a lot done this afternoon, whilst watching westerns on TV………

both port and starboats safety grab lines have now been fitted, and tbh, look rather good and level and equidistant. all the preparation paid off.

the red and yellow anniversary lines around the hull have now been trimmed across the transom.

And the liferings that were rigged earlier have now been fitted in to their holders on the aft pulpit rails, and the EPIRB's have been fitted into the centre of the rings.

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

two jobs this afternoon….attaching the bow strops via the anchoring point through the bow ruffle hole…..which went to plan. the connection through the bow belting will be done tomorrow after i have visited the Mersey on hard standing on Fleetwood docks for a nosey.

and fitting the stainless steel protective plates over the belting.

the inner layer was a very sticky piece of aluminium pipe repair tape, ans the outer covering was a piece of stainless steel shimming that Mick French gave to me to do the job. the outer sheath was glued to the ally tape using Evostik contact adhesiv……

miraculously all seemed to go together with relative ease.

and then just spent an hour or so making some rigging screws for the stanchions on the Mersey got a few more to go, but of a longer variety………….but wont know length or how many until i see the boat tomorrow.

[Tim RoweParticipant @timrowe83142]

Hello Neil

Fascinating stuff that merges the models with reality.

Just one point of detail. Those items hanging in the lifebelts are automatic lights not EPIRBs (Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacons). EPIRBs are always connected with the vessel and get deployed if the vessel sinks or is abandoned at sea. They are not for use in a Man Overboard situation although pocket sized personal locating beacons are available and have been used with success.

The two main types of light. The one you have is stowed upside down (like you have done correctly) and when they go in the water they up-end tripping a switch turning the light on. The little button near the main body would be a clear lens which of course would be on top in the water.
The other type gets activated by immersion and it doesn't matter which way they are stowed although conventionally, this type is stowed the right way up.

Tim R

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

Sorry to correct you Tim……….but i'm not skillfull enough to put a tiny light into the top of the "EPIRB" nor a solar panel to collect suns rays, but it is an EPIRB…………….a very early design that the RNLI used but still an EPIRB.

and below is a whole host of different EPIRBS on the market.

EPIRB – Google Search

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

However, i can now shout EURIKA……..eureka!!!……….

apart from rigging the stanchion guard/safety lines, and naming the boat, the hull of Mick French's Mersey is now complete, and shall put it away out of harms reach whilst i concentrate on the few cabin parts still to add, and there aren't many of those either.

But this morning, a visit to the lifeboat in Fleetwood to get the bow fairlead and strops correctly fitted, i took some photos of her, and then came home to do the same on the model.

I also attached some studded anchor chain to the Fishermans pattern anchor, for detailing.. Hope you like it, warts mistakes and all..

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

Hi. Neil, lifeboats are not my thing, but the next time I get to a show I will give them more than a cursory look, following your build shows how much thought, skill and dedication goes into producing a museum quality product, I can only admire your building skills and dedication, obviously gained over many years, and I mean that that in the nicest possible way.

Eddie.

Edited By Eddie Lancaster on 06/04/2021 15:31:13

[Tim RoweParticipant @timrowe83142]

Back again Neil

The SOLAS Convention rules for Lifesaving Appliances (LSA) are specific about the specification and equipment that goes with a lifebelt.

They are:

Self-igniting floating light.
Floating line.
In some cases a Self Activating Smoke Signal and a drogue (if the lifebelt is a lightweight type commonly used on yachts)

They are not fitted with EPIRBs. When an EPIRB is activated it sets off a chain reaction of coordinated search and rescue operations via Satellite bouncing to shore stations using a specific code that identifies the vessel. The lifeboat operator would not want to trigger all that every time the lifebelt is deployed. After all, the lifeboat already knows where is it and will be in radio contact with a number of agencies foremost the Coastguard. If the lifeboat itself was in danger of sinking then its own EPIRB would be deployed. Often fitted with hydrostatic releases that allow automatic deployment the are generally mounted fairly high up (RNLI's own words) to reduce the risk of snagging. It would be sensible to take the EPIRB with you if you were transferring to a life raft.

The other piece of tracking equipment that would often be used in abandonment is a SART (Search And Rescue Transponder). The basic principle of a SART is that it reacts to interrogation by a radar signal and re-transmits pulses on the same frequency thereby providing a bearing and range on that radar.

My day job is assessing vessels for SOLAS and MCGA compliance and I have never seen and EPIRB or SART on a lifebelt. I do accept that the RNLI go their own way on many items but for the reasons I have explained above, I don't think so on these items. I am always willing to stand corrected and hand the discussion back to you.

I repeat the admiration for the detailed postings and the excellent results.

Tim R

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

Posted by Eddie Lancaster on 06/04/2021 15:30:08:

Hi. Neil, lifeboats are not my thing, but the next time I get to a show I will give them more than a cursory look, following your build shows how much thought, skill and dedication goes into producing a museum quality product, I can only admire your building skills and dedication, obviously gained over many years, and I mean that that in the nicest possible way.

Eddie.

Edited By Eddie Lancaster on 06/04/2021 15:31:13

thanks Eddie……really appreciate your comments……..i've built all types of ships over the years, but seem to have gravitated towards lifeboats over the more recent years, and the older classics are much more to my taste than modern stuff in orange……..but this is a rebuild for a mate who spends most weekends showing his vast collection of model lifeboats, all based in Cornwall where he lives raising money for the RNLI.

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

Safety lines have been applied to the cabin sides, and the spot lights, which along with the window frames are the only original fittings that came with the old boat, and used on this reincarnation are just about it for my part of the build apart from fitting the radar assembly………….but there lies a story………..i have lost the mini motor for the radar that i bought for Micks model, and so once i have tidied up ready for finishing the Tyne i will look for them………if i cannot find them i'll just have to buy another off ebay.

the safety lines, as will be the stanchion lines, were made from some wire, 1.5mm plastic tube [for the bottle screws and the line is black personal radio/mobile phone earphone wire……………just the right diameter,

except for fitting the lines to the stanchions which i will start tomorrow, and hopefully complete by the weekend.

the areals for the cabin top i have made but left off as the boat will be going back to Mick in Cornwall in July for his mate to fit the electrics including lights………….i DON'T MESS with those any more after having to do 2 shannons……………just a pain in the accienda.

It will be easier ti do the electrics if you are not encumbered by then being fixed , snapped off or poking you in the eye………….just a simple blob of gel cyano will glue thos in place once with Mick French..

And once all the manual obs have been done i will finally name her to give her identity, thanks to Mike Davies and his wonderful sheets of identity transfers. Cheers mate.

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

started rigging the stanchion "rails" this afternoon around 16.30, and finally just finished…………..errrrno, sorry, did some time on them this morning.

Using the bottle screws and the stereo ear phone wire, plus heat shrink i started working from the stern on the starboard side, until i got to the last but one stanchion, and whilst bending the copper coated steel wire to make the connecting loops………..disaster struck…………..i broke the stanchion where the supporting stay was drilled and glued into the stanchion between the lower and top hole for the wire………

had to go into the workshop to get a spare and refit, but couldnt find one, so had to cast a new one……..in fact i cast 9, and will give the spares to Mick French when i give him the boat………….no good trying to repair them…………….just easier to refit one

anyway, finished them all and they just need touching up with either black, grey and or alluminium coloured humbrol enamel.

fitted the masts and aereals for photos, and that Mick french is that, apart from naiming her, which i will do tomorrow after painting and touching up the bits n pieces.

just have to find the motor for the radar now, fit it into the radar body, and feed the wires out so that it can be connected by Mick's electronics friend,…………..

And that Mick French , IS THAT!

[geconParticipant @gecon]

Hi Neil, with carpet on the floor, you would hardly hear the radar motor if it dropped!

I often resort to a magnet-on-a-stick and swipe it willy-nilly under all benches and sofas radiators etc. Usually find metal bits that I didn't know I had! Then I do the bilges in the Fisher!

Good luck

George

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hi Neil

`Tis with great sadness that we sense that you are coming to the end of yet another of your Lifeboat Masterpiece`s?

Will you be sailing it and where will it end up?

You must be in need of a nice break from building, but have you got any plans for a future build?

We hope so

All the best, my mate.and hope to see you in the future, somewhere on the boating circuit

Bob

 

Edited By Bob Abell on 10/04/2021 08:05:01

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

Posted by gecon on 10/04/2021 07:43:54:

Hi Neil, with carpet on the floor, you would hardly hear the radar motor if it dropped!

I often resort to a magnet-on-a-stick and swipe it willy-nilly under all benches and sofas radiators etc. Usually find metal bits that I didn't know I had! Then I do the bilges in the Fisher!

Good luck

George

its in a brown bubble post it bag somewhere Grorge……….just locating it lol………..

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

Posted by Bob Abell on 10/04/2021 08:04:05:

Hi Neil

`Tis with great sadness that we sense that you are coming to the end of yet another of your Lifeboat Masterpiece`s?

Will you be sailing it and where will it end up?

You must be in need of a nice break from building, but have you got any plans for a future build?

We hope so

All the best, my mate.and hope to see you in the future, somewhere on the boating circuit

Bob

Edited By Bob Abell on 10/04/2021 08:05:01

i still have the Tyne to finish which is what started this thread Bob……….the Mersey just highjacked it as it was a refit, which turned into a rebuild for a friend who shows his boats to raise money for the RNLI………..

As soon as i have made sure all is done on the Mersey ready for giving back to my mate, i will be back onto the Tyne which started off this thread and build blog….

but rest assured, my model building will go on hopefully.

so back to my tyne in a few days.

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

they always look better when the final job is naming them, and this morning was no exception.

So, here it is, Mick French………

your completed Mersey………even got a relief crew on board today, but sadly they have a home to go too when the mersey leaves Poulton le Fylde, and sadly for you it isn't Cornwall,
Hope you like it, and dont bloody break it……………….i'm NOT doing another refit.
now back to my Tyne……………my single Tyne.

and my heartfelt thanks go to Mike Davies,who supplied the transfers for the model, for he saved the day when i cocked up the spacing on the air intake ducts on the cabin sides, size wise to the window frames, and he had to work to the minimum size to get the name of the boat to fit the gap……………..cheers mate…………they turned out well. thanks a lot.

And now that i, Dave Stavros Jones and Mike Davies who have all taken part in this restoration of the Mersey for Mick French free of any renumeration, so that he can show this and his other lifeboat models at shows around the south west of England to raise money for the RNLI, i can now get back to the title of my topic….the TYNE class lifeboat.

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

i miss the old bugger all the time for a calming and sarcastic dry humoured chat…

but its at times like this that i have to show how thick i am, when i cant just message Dave Milbourn and ask him which coloured wires join the standard red white and black to some chinese multi coloured ones….

please guys, any ideas……….i have the normal lead from one servo, plus the servo with the reverse polarity switch, both in the normal colours that i understand………joining to a Y lead that i havent come across before.

please can some electronic wizard tell me the colours from the nice coloured plugs mate up with the red white and black of my servo leads……

thanks for any help.

and with kind help and knowledge from members on other forums i was able to connect properly without the need of a fire extinguisher.

but now i can begin the process of finishing the Tyne which has been a long time in the waiting…………almost a year since i last did anything to it.

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

Neil, If I remember rightly the orange is the signal and the red and brown are the positive and the negative. So that should be correct when matched up with the Black, Red and White cable as you have it.

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